ESPN names junior RB as Texas A&M's 'under-the-radar' player to watch
Heading into his third season, former 5-star RB Rueben Owens is by far one of Texas A&M's most important starter that is flying under the radar.
Texas A&M's 2026 season inches closer by the day, and with the spring season concluding after the annual Maroon & White Game on April 18, coach Mike Elko , who is entering his third season at the helm, is well aware that his newly formed roster is a ways away from competing for a national championship. Still, with starting quarterback Marcel Reed back under center, Texas A&M's offense, now including former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton, should match last season's scoring average, and look even better and more consistent in the passing game with Horton's 6'4" frame providing a true deep threat and reliable red zone target. In the backfield, Texas A&M's running back room is now officially led by former five-star prospect and redshirt junior Rueben Owens , who rushed for a career high 639 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.
4 yards per carry after senior Le'Veon Moss was lost for the season after the Aggies' home win over Florida. However, Owen's production dropped off drastically after rushing for 102 yards and two touchdowns against Missouri on the road, averaging just over 3 yards per carry in the next three games, while dropping multiple passes during the regular-season finale loss to Texas. Needing to finally live up to his five-star billing, Owens has added healthy mass to his frame this offseason, and he's looking to lead the Aggie backfield alongside up-and-coming sophomore Jamarion Morrow, who looks like the best one-cut running back on the roster.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Dave Wilson named Rueben Owens as his "under the radar" player on Texas A&M's roster, given new OC Holmon Wiggins' desire to run the ball at a higher clip next season. "Owens wasn't under the radar as a recruit, rushing for more than 7,000 yards and 100 TDs and becoming one of the most coveted prospects in the 2023 class. But he has yet to reach his potential during his A&M career because of injuries.
Owens led all SEC freshmen in 2023 in all-purpose yards with 743 but suffered a foot injury in a scrimmage in 2024 and was limited to 66 yards in two games before running for 639 last year. In 28 career games, he has topped 20 carries just once, last year against Mississippi State, running for 142 yards. At full speed, Owens has star potential.